Mercer County Historical Society

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The Mercer County Historical Society presented an antique phonograph exhibit by Troy Walker of Greenville. The exhibit was held Sunday, March 11, 2007 from 1:00 – 4:00. Mr. Walker showcased phonographs using cylinder rolls and pressed records.

A little bit of history………

Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, but it really didn't make its way into American homes for at least twenty years. The earliest machines played a strip of tinfoil, and were regarded as little more than a curiosity while Edison busied himself with other tasks such as the electrification of New York City. In the mid 1880s two scientists, Chicester Bell and Sumner Tainter, approached Edison with a better record. Edison turned them down flat, much to his later regret as the Bell-Tainter patents became the cornerstone of his competitor the Graphophone Company. The race was on to perfect the phonograph.

Most machines of the 1880s and most of the 1890s were electrically powered, usually by cumbersome wet cells. This is because house current wasn't widely available, and a reliable spring motor hadn't been developed. Although some of these machines appeared in the home they were very expensive, and a more typical sight was a coin-operated machine in a penny arcade. The coin-ops proved to be good money-makers, much to the chagrin of Edison, who took a long time to warm to the idea of his invention being used for entertainment; he had thought that business provided a more noble purpose. Edison phonographs of this era played cylinder records made of various wax formulas; the records were quite faint and were best heard via listening tubes which resembled stethoscopes.

The public is invited to attend this free event.

For more information on the Mercer County Historical Society contact Society President Joyce Alig at 419-678-2614 or email her at histalig@bright.net

Mercer County Historical Society, Inc.

P.O. Box 512, Celina, OH 45822-0512

“The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope.

Love of the past implies a faith in the future.” by Stephen Ambrose

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NEW IDEA Historic Preservation Committee Meetings 2007: 7:00 P.M. at former Village Council Room, Coldwater, Jan. 24; Feb. 28; Mar. 28; Apr. 25; Apr. 29 (Manual Sale); May 23; June 27; July 25; Aug 4-5 (Coldwater Park Exhibit & Sunday Parade); Sept. 26 (Members’ picnic); Oct. 24. People interested in preserving New Idea’s history are most welcome to attend these meetings.

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SPECIAL EXHIBITS MERCER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM, THE RILEY HOME .

March 11, Sun. 1:00 – 4:00 [bad weather snow date: March 25] The Phonograph Talking Machines with Morning Glory Horns, at the Museum. Troy Walker is playing cylinder records on the antique phonographs.

Apr. 15., Sun. 2:00 P.M. Skeletons on the Zahara. DVD to be shown. This is the History Channel Program about Captain James Riley, his shipwreck and slavery in the Sahara Desert, shown at the Mercer County Historical Museum, The Riley Home. Captain James Riley’s descendants are invited to serve as hosts for this program.

Apr. 29, Sun., 10:00-3:00. New Idea Historic Preservation Committee 4^th Annual New Idea Manual & Posters & Memorabilia Sale, at Coldwater Municipal Center Building, 610 West Sycamore St., Coldwater, Ohio & 7^th Annual Antique Post Card Exhibit.

April-May, Watch for the WBGU Television schedule for “Amusement Parks in Northwest Ohio.” * Mercer County citizens provided interviews and photographs about Edgewater Park for this program. *

June 24, Sunday, 1-4. 28^th Annual Prehistoric Artifacts Exhibit hosted by the Mercer County Indian Relic Collectors at Mercer County Historical Museum Lawn, 130 East Market, Celina,

August 4-5, Sat & Sun New Idea Exhibit at the Community Park. Orville Ranly’s Collection of New Idea Patterns will be on exhibit for the first time, & Sunday, Coldwater Community Parade with the Antique Tractors & New Idea Equipment. New Idea Historic Preservation Committee of the Mercer Co. Historical Society

September 9, Sunday, 1-4. Exquisite Quilts Exhibit Hosted by the Friendship Quilters’ Guild, at the Mercer County Museum. New & Antique Quilts will be on exhibit. (Remember also to visit Fall Festival at Fairgrounds.)

Combined Drives: Thanks for remembering your Mercer County Historical Society, Inc.

October 28, Sunday, 1-4. 8^th Annual Antique Gun Exhibit: “US Military .45 Caliber Pistols and Accessories,” Hosted by Museum of the Soldier, Portland, & Local Gun Collectors at Mercer Co. Museum.

November 4, Sunday, 1-4. 5^th Annual Local History & Local Authors Book Sale for Christmas Gifts at Mercer County Museum. Books about & Authors from: Mercer, Auglaize, Van Wert, Darke Counties, OH & Jay Co. IN

November 11, Sunday 1-4. Civil War Exhibit of Artifacts & information & books about Civil War sites, hosted by Civil War Roundtable Members of Western Ohio at Mercer County Historical Museum.

December 10, Monday, 7:30 P.M. Mercer County Historical Society Members’ Christmas Party & Meeting

December is your opportunity to renew your 2008 Membership in the Historical Society.

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